Peripheral dilators are a form of vasodilators that are involved in the dilation of the most distal parts of the vascular system such as the venules and arterioles. It does this by relaxing the smooth muscle of the blood vessels that are wide open, therefore making it easier for the heart to pump blood through blood vessels and also the whole body.
In the treatment of hypertension, the peripheral dilators lower blood pressure by decreasing the total peripheral resistance of the arteries. In addition to the treatment of hypertension, they are also used in the treatment of heart failure and acute myocardial infarction.
